Another journalist shot in terai; other details (BREAKING NEWS)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Radio journalist Gyanendra Raj Mishra was shot and injured in Birgunj Thursday.
He was shot by a group of three or four persons who sped away on a motorcycle, according to eyewitnesses.
He was shot in front of the town’s stadium.
Three children were injured in a bomb blast in Sarlahi Thursday as they played with an abandoned bomb.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Malangwa.
Violence continues unabated in the south.
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Three top CPN-UML leaders meet to discuss consensus elections

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Former General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, incumbent party chief Jhalanath Khanal and KP Sharma Oli held collective discussions in Butwal Thursday for a consensus candidate for the powerful post of party chairman of CPN-UML.
They are meeting again after a lunch break following three hours of talks.
A party general convention is currently underway in the west Nepal town.
A closed-door session is discussing a party political report and stature amendment.
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Voluntary retirement scheme for 13,000 officials before cabinet

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: General administration ministry Tuesday presented a scheme for the voluntary retirement for 13,000 officials, Kantipur reports.
The cabinet is expected to discuss the scheme and approve it Thursday.
Nearly 13,200 officials who were promoted 18 months ago can apply for retirement.
Those who have completed 20 years of service and aged 50 years can apply; previous retirement age was 58 years.
The promoted officials weren’t given new assignments after their promotions.
The scheme will cost the government exchequer one billion rupees.
Critics claim the scheme is a disguised Maoist attempt to fill positions in government with their supporters.
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